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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to craft software with a focus on quality and collaboration.
- Company: Opencast, a tech consultancy that values engineering craft over speed.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering thoughtful solutions in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with Java or Scala, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with a commitment to continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ready to work somewhere that cares more about how you build software than how fast you can ship it? At Opencast, we don’t measure developers by the number of tickets you complete. We care about engineering craft, clean design and thoughtful problem-solving. Opencast consultants deliver in complex environments, pairing often and working with others who take pride in doing things properly: TDD, emerging design, refactoring and leaving code better than they found it. We build software we are proud of, and our clients trust us not just to code but to think, challenge and guide. If you value simple and robust solutions and want a role where your judgment matters as much as your keyboard, you will fit right in.
The role involves looking for Contractors in Software Development (Senior level or Technical Lead) to help our major clients transform. Software developers at Opencast care about building products right and combine their own experience and approach with our company values. They are tech agnostic, have expertise in agile methodologies, extreme programming practices and use industry-leading programming languages to deliver agile transformation.
Our approach to software development is collaborative, focused on keeping things simple, and we use test driven development and pair programming as best practice. Working with clients and key stakeholders is a crucial part of a consultancy role. Our developers are inclusive team players that listen, collaborate, can positively challenge and manage expectations when needed but most of all are always willing to teach and help others. Leaving a client with improved ways of working, working technology and a good experience from discovery through to live is the priority.
Contractors at Opencast follow the same principles as permanent consultants. The roles are varied, technical, and never confined to any one provider or solution.
Requirements
Due to the nature of this role, applicants must either currently hold active Security Check (SC) Clearance or be eligible to obtain it. Eligibility typically requires UK citizenship and continuous residence in the UK for the past five years, with no single absence exceeding 28 consecutive days. As attendance at client sites is a routine part of the role’s working pattern and involves occasional travel, travel expenses are not covered. Experience in delivering digital services for the UK government is highly valuable for many of our projects. Therefore, familiarity with the GDS toolkit will be beneficial.
Technical Skills
- Expertise in Java and/or Scala is required
- Experience in a technical leadership role
- Deep understanding of programming paradigm, code design, testing, accessibility, performance and security
- Proven ability to apply different testing tools and methods in practice
- Knowledge or experience of delivering complex services to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards
- Being comfortable with new technology, t-shaped and comfortable with ongoing learning and development is key to success
- Experience with agile methodology
A contractor in software development at Opencast is responsible for:
- Driving the elaboration of their team’s backlog
- Setting testing strategies to match industry standards
- Being a technical expert in their team (or acting as the team lead)
- Leading the technical representation in a project discovery
- Acting as a technical lead in the team, enabling them to achieve their full potential
Where you’ll work
This role requires regular on-site attendance across our HQ, hub offices, client sites and home. Applicants must be able to commute to offices and client sites as part of their normal working arrangements, as travel is essential to fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.
We include you
We welcome candidates from all identities, attributes, ways of thinking and backgrounds to thrive in a career at Opencast. Our aim is for the diversity of our people to be reflected in the solutions we deliver, to help create a fairer society for all.
Interview
Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. We’re happy to make adjustments to support your needs.
Senior Software Engineer Contract in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Opencast | B Corp™
Contact Detail:
Opencast | B Corp™ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer Contract in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Connect with folks in the industry, especially those at Opencast. Attend meetups or online events where you can chat about software development and share your passion for clean code and thoughtful problem-solving.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best projects, especially those that demonstrate your expertise in Java or Scala. Make sure to include examples of how you've applied TDD and agile methodologies in real-world scenarios.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, brush up on common technical questions and scenarios related to software development. Be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving and how you’ve collaborated with teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Opencast and being part of a team that values engineering craft over speed.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer Contract in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Craft: When you're writing your application, let us see your engineering craft shine through! Share examples of how you've tackled complex problems and the thoughtful solutions you've implemented. We want to know how you build software, not just how quickly you can ship it.
Be Collaborative: Since we value teamwork, make sure to highlight your collaborative experiences. Talk about times when you paired with others or worked in a team to deliver a project. We love developers who can listen, challenge positively, and help others grow!
Keep It Simple: In your application, focus on clarity and simplicity. Just like our approach to software development, your writing should be straightforward and easy to understand. Avoid jargon where possible and get straight to the point about your skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen to join our community at Opencast!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opencast | B Corp™
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Opencast's values and approach to software development. They care about engineering craft and thoughtful problem-solving, so be ready to discuss how you align with these principles in your work.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to talk about your experience with Java and/or Scala, as well as your familiarity with agile methodologies and testing strategies. Bring examples of past projects where you applied these skills, especially in complex environments.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Opencast values inclusive team players who can positively challenge and manage expectations. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others, perhaps in pair programming or leading a team, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle real-world challenges. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with technical dilemmas, especially in relation to GDS standards and delivering digital services.